Does PA have 3 of the best routes in the US to see fall foliage? This survey says yes
Fall foliage is just about in full swing across Pennsylvania as we roll through mid-October.
If you’re a leaf-peeping lover and can’t get enough of autumnal hues in the Keystone State’s forests, there’s perhaps no better way to get in on the action than driving through the countryside. Luckily, Pennsylvania offers a few of the best scenic drives in the country for that exact purpose, according to a recent survey of more than 3,000 drivers sponsored by a Florida auto dealer.
Here’s what you need to know about Pennsylvania’s top fall foliage freeways.
Allegheny Scenic Drive
Also known as the Longhouse National Scenic Byway, this 36-mile loop runs through Allegheny National Forest in northwestern Pennsylvania. The forest is filled with deciduous trees that show off strong red, orange and yellow hues as they prepare for winter during the fall season.
“Visitors will often feel as if they are driving through a tunnel as they drive through the northern hardwoods of the Allegheny, surrounded by oak and black cherry,” the U.S. Forest Service wrote in its description of the byway.
The byway, ranked No. 3 among the top scenic drives in Gunther Volkswagen of Coconut Creek’s survey, circles the Kinzua Creek arm of the Allegheny Reservoir. Landmarks along the way include the Old Powerhouse, Kinzua Beach, Wolf Run Marina and Cornplanter Bridge, plus Morrison Run Trail and Rimrock Overlook and Trail.
The Longhouse National Scenic Byway features plenty of overlooks and pull-off points that offer convenient stops for drivers who hope to observe the scenery and take photographs. Those who don’t mind the overnight chills might consider an overnight trip at one of the byway’s many campgrounds.
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Laurel Highlands Scenic Byway (Route 381)
This 49.3-mile state highway runs through Fayette and Westmoreland counties in southwestern Pennsylvania before running into West Virginia. The route was ranked No. 17 among the 140 best fall foliage freeways in the U.S., according to Gunther Volkswagen of Coconut Creek’s survey.
Landmarks along the way include historic Ligonier, known for its beloved Idlewild Park amusement park; Powdermill Nature Reserve, which offers more than 2,200 acres of wildlife, educational programming and exhibits; Ohiopyle State Park, known for its waterfalls, vistas and scenic overlooks; and Fallingwater and Kentuck Knob, two of famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s most recognizable homes.
You can check out attractions along the way through this interactive map published by GO Laurel Highlands, the official tourism bureau for Fayette, Somerset and Westmoreland counties.
U.S. Route 6 in Pennsylvania
This northern Pennsylvania route marks the longest highway in the commonwealth, stretching from the Ohio border to the Mid-Delaware Bridge as it crosses the Delaware River into New York. The 403-mile route, which is mostly a two-lane, rural highway that expands near some larger towns, is the longest numbered highway in Pennsylvania.
Route 6 checked in as the 38th-best fall foliage freeway this year, according to Gunther Volkswagen of Coconut Creek’s survey.
Drivers hoping to check out the fall foliage might consider stopping at a number of landmarks along the way, including Allegheny National Forest and Kinzua Bridge State Park. Another popular pick near Lycoming and Tioga counties is Pennsylvania’s Grand Canyon, officially named Pine Creek Gorge.
Route 6 has a reputation for being among the most feared highways in Pennsylvania, according to another recent survey.
Top 140 fall foliage freeways
Gunther Volkswagen of Coconut Creek’s survey of roughly 3,000 drivers helped create a wide-ranging list of the best drives for fall foliage viewing this year.
Massachusetts led all represented states with four driving routes on the list, while 43 others — ranging from Wyoming to Florida — had three freeways make the cut.
Here’s a look at the top 20 fall foliage freeways in the country, according to Gunther Volkswagen of Coconut Creek’s driver survey:
Seneca Trail U.S. Route 219 in West Virginia
Falls Road (MD Route 25) in Maryland
Allegheny Scenic Drive in Pennsylvania
Cherokee Foothills Scenic Byway in South Carolina
Rim Rock Drive in Colorado
Red River Gorge Scenic Byway in Kentucky
Back of the Dragon (Route 16) in Virginia
Chesapeake Country Scenic Byway in Maryland
Mount Hope Bay Loop in Rhode Island
Circle Road through Nebraska National Forest in Nebraska
Sonoma-Mendocino Coast Scenic Drive in California
Richardson Highway (Alaska Routes 2 and 4) in California
Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive in Wisconsin
Talladega Scenic Drive in Alabama
Avenue of the Giants in California
Lakes Region Tour in New Hampshire
Laurel Highlands Scenic Byway (Route 381) in Pennsylvania
Farm Coast Ramble in Rhode Island
Going-to-the-Sun Road in Montana
Lamoille Canyon Scenic Drive in Nevada
To view the full survey, visit gunthervw.net/top-140-fall-foliage-freeways.htm.
